Meta

Member of:

"Body shame originates in our minds with our thoughts and perceptions. Neither our religion nor our culture makes us ashamed of our bodies, only our belief that we should be ashamed. Shame comes from our own thoughts which we have the power to change. If we perceive no shame then there is none. No one can make you feel ashamed without your permission."Rick Romig

Play Naked

Over the weekend Tom Mulhall, owner of the Terra Cotta Inn, commented on how nudists and naturist don’t portray nudism and naturism as fun. Nudiarist picked up on it and expressed his views. I guess it’s my turn to put in my 2-cents.

Maybe some of us who are trying to promote nudism and naturism take ourselves too seriously and fail to see the forest for the trees. I think I’ve been guilty of it. Our national organizations have mission statements that read much the same as many corporate and military mission statements. Individually, we wax philosophically on the merits of living clothes-free or complain bitterly about how society, the government, and just about everyone else is against us. Yet, in our promotion of this wonderful lifestyle, we’ve overlooked the one reason we visit resorts, attend club events, and partake in nude recreation … to have fun. Nude recreation is fun. It’s not the American Association for Nude Philosophy.

Sure, I have deeper reasons for being a naturist but one of the most fundamental is that skinny-dipping, freehiking, hanging out with friends, playing nude volleyball, and pursuing an allover tan are fun activities. Being nude is pleaurable. If we didn’t enjoy it, would we do it?

In the past, naturism wasn’t always fun. In the early days it was about physical fitness, abstinence, and hard work. Tom Muhall has related many times in his blog that when he opened the Terra Cotta Inn, he was told that nudism was not about having fun. If nudism isn’t about having fun, then why do resorts have swimming pools, volleyball courts, and similar amenities? At some point it must have gotten fun. Viewing photos from the glory days of nudism, it sure looks like these people were having fun. When I visit a nudist venue or event, my impetus for going is to have fun, or at the very least, enjoy myself.

When someone asks us why we’re nudists or naturists, perhaps the first thing we should say is, “Because it’s fun.” Then go on to tell them how enjoyable it is to not wear a soggy swimsuit and how great the sun, the breeze, and the water feels on your bare skin. Save the philosophy for later if they’re intersted. To some, the fun might be enough.